An online poll commissioned by Billboard Radio Monitor and Musicrypt, Inc. shows an overwhelming majority of radio broadcasters are inclined to receive music digitally, when the service is available to them. That’s among the chief findings of the 2005 Digital Music Poll, a nationwide survey of over 450 radio broadcasters.
Designed to uncover radio preferences in digital music distribution, music downloads, new technology requirements and the impact it has on the music industry, the poll’s results were set to be unveiled Wednesday at the opening day of the DEMXPO conference in Los Angeles.
84% of poll respondents said they are inclined to receive music digitally if digital music distribution services are available to them consistently. 79% of respondents already receive music digitally. However, 50% of the respondents would prefer to receive new music via physical CDs compared to 45% that prefer digital download services.
The most important benefit of receiving music digitally is that it is broadcast quality, according to 67% of those surveyed. File format and easy access were the next two most important, followed by time sensitivity and security. Programmers and broadcasters also found that they didn’t receive enough promotional material from labels when receiving new music.
The digital migration appears to be coming slowly, as only 10% of respondents said that record labels are doing a good job when it comes to adapting to new technology. 59% somewhat agreed with the statement, however.
Almost 80% of those surveyed were PDs or MDs. The 16 question survey was conducted in September and October of 2005.
